Pastor Phil Misner

4th Sunday of Lent -- March 15, 2025

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach and preside at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Clarkston, WA. I didn't take many pictures, but it was a joy to have Pastor Nick Nicolai as the Assisting Minister. Pastor Nick serves Our Savior's as Intetim Pastor as the congregation navigates a time of transition. Following worship, we had a congregation conversation about the transition process, and how currently they are in the midst of discernment. Discernment is all about leaning into the part of the Lord's Prayer where we ask for God's will to be done on earth as in heaven. It's critical that discernment is grounded in prayer, in honesty, and curiosity (and patience!). Following that conversation, it was time for choir rehearsal while I met with the Discover and Invite Team. They are charged with assembling the Ministry Site Profile.

February 1 throw back – A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to join Christ Lutheran Church, Yakima for worship on the 4th Sunday following Epiphany (or February 1, 2026). Christ Lutheran is currently being served by Pastor Chris Peterson and Deacon Kathy Kathy Sebree. Pastor Chris is ordained in the Presbyterian , USA (PCUSA), one of several denominations with whom the ELCA has a full communion partnership. That means that any PCUSA pastor can serve an ELCA congregation & vice versa. Pastor Chris and Deacon Kathy continue to lead Christ Lutheran in faithful ministry. It was great to experience the joyful gathering of this congregation, take part in the laughter they share, and see how this congregation takes time for prayer requests at the beginning of worship & then incorporates those requests into the service. Christ Lutheran is slowly and steadily growing in membership & participation…and they are wrestling with how to ensure sustainability going forward. One theme that kept surfacing was how vibrant the congregation is & continues to be.

Epiphany Sunday 2026 - On January 4 I had the opportunity to join the Northwest Grace Coop, which is a partnership between Lutheran Church of the Master (Coeur d’Alene), Calvary Lutheran (Post Falls), and Trinity Lutheran (Coeur d’Alene), for their Epiphany worship, dinner, and burning of the greens. Dozens of us gathering in Schmidt Hall at Lutheran Church of the Master with the delicious smells of chili and cornbread scenting the air. Outside, a fire burned. We ate. We sang. We prayed. We processed outside where the greens from Christmas trees, wreaths, and garland were burned. The fire blazed. Christ, Light of the World, was proclaimed. In these days, we hold fast to the promise that Christ is indeed light to all the world.

First Sunday of Advent – November 30

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to visit Kennewick First Lutheran Church (KFLC). This was one of the first congregations I worked with in the call process when I began my call as Assistant to the Bishop over 7 years ago. Both I and them are still so grateful that process ended with the Holy Spirit calling Pastor JJ Dygert to KFLC. This congregation will host the Northwest Intermountain Synod Assembly this spring (save the date: April 24-26, 2026). If the hospitality extended to me this past Sunday is any indication, folks from across the NWIM Synod will be no doubt warmly welcomed in just a few months.

The 23rd Sunday after Pentecost (November 16, 2025)

Rewind to just over a week ago I had the opportunity to visit Prince of Peace Lutheran, Spokane where Rev. Joel Skindlov serves as Pastor. This was my first time visiting Prince of Peace on a Sunday morning, and it was lovely worshipping with the folks there and sharing in fellowship following worship. I preaches and Pastor Joel presided over the service. This congregation also hosts a pre-school and partners with two local schools in November for a Tree of Giving. In the summer they have hosted an outdoor community concert series, and they continue to explore other ways to be good neighbors.

That evening I attended Faith Action Network’s (FAN) Annual Dinner. FAN “is a statewide, multifaith partnership striving for just, compassionate, and sustainable communities through courageous advocacy and public action.” The Annual Dinner takes place in 3 venues simultaneously: in person in Spokane and Seattle, and remotely all across the state of Washington. That evening, FAN raised over $200,000 to support their efforts. It was great seeing many colleagues and folks I knew at both the Spokane and Seattle (via the simulcast). And it was good to hear from Jess Ingman, FAN’s Central WA Coordinator via Zoom.

All Saints Sunday – November 2, 2025

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to visit Advent Lutheran Church, Spokane Valley. In conversations with Pastor Matt Larson leading up to this Sunday, he mentioned it would be “sermon light and ritual heavy.” What he meant was that there were to be 4 baptisms, the commemoration of the saints, and a blessing/celebration of Pastor Holly Gundy’s (chaplain extraordinaire at Sacred Heart, member, and council president!) 25th Ordination Anniversary. What a Sunday! It was an honor to preside over the Lord’s Supper and to take part in the blessing of Pastor Holly. I also enjoyed the cake, coffee, and fellowship following worship.

Advent as a congregation has only been around for about 15 years. Pastor Matt accompanied them through a process where two congregations consolidated into one. It is a joy to experience the energy, and see some of the ways God is at work in and through the folks of Advent. Many ministries across the NWIM Synod have been blessed through their annual endowment grants distributed to ministries near and far.